JUpdate: A JSON Update Language

Although JSON documents are being used in several emerging applications (e.g., Big Data applications, IoT, mobile computing, smart cities, and online social networks), there is no consensual or standard language for updating JSON documents (i.e., creating, deleting or changing such documents, where changing means inserting, deleting, replacing, copying, moving, etc., portions of data in such documents). To fill this gap, we propose in this paper an SQL-like language, named JUpdate, for updating JSON documents. JUpdate is based on a set of six primitive update operations, which is proven complete and minimal, and it provides a set of fourteen user-friendly high-level operations with a well-founded semantics defined on the basis of the primitive update operations

Determinants of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus native bone and joint infection treatment failure: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Although methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) native bone and joint infection (BJI) constitutes the more frequent clinical entity of BJI, prognostic studies mostly focused on methicillin-resistant S. aureus prosthetic joint infection. We aimed to assess the determinants of native MSSA BJI outcomes. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study (2001-2011) of patients admitted in a reference hospital centre for native MSSA BJI. Treatment failure determinants were assessed using Kaplan-Meier curves and binary logistic regression. RESULTS: Sixty-six patients (42 males [63.6%]; median age 61.2 years; interquartile range [IQR] 45.9-71.9) presented an acute (n = 38; 57.6%) or chronic (n = 28; 42.4%) native MSSA arthritis (n = 15; 22.7%), osteomyelitis (n = 19; 28.8%) or spondylodiscitis (n = 32; 48.5%), considered as "difficult-to-treat" in 61 cases (92.4%). All received a prolonged (27.1 weeks; IQR, 16.9-36.1) combined antimicrobial therapy, after surgical management in 37 cases (56.1%). Sixteen treatment failures (24.2%) were observed during a median follow-up period of 63.3 weeks (IQR, 44.7-103.1), including 13 persisting infections, 1 relapse after treatment disruption, and 2 super-infections. Independent determinants of treatment failure were the existence of a sinus tract (odds ratio [OR], 5.300; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.166-24.103) and a prolonged delay to infectious disease specialist referral (OR, 1.134; 95% CI 1.013-1.271). CONCLUSIONS: The important treatment failure rate pinpointed the difficulty of cure encountered in complicated native MSSA BJI. An early infectious disease specialist referral is essential, especially in debilitated patients or in presence of sinus tract

3D synchrotron laminography assessment of damage evolution in blanked dual phase steels

International audienceThe mechanical performance of automotive structures made of advanced high strength steels (AHSS) is often seen reduced by the presence of cut-edges. Here an attempt is made to gain insight into the initial damage state and the damage evolution during loading of a cut-edge. This is assessed in 3D and in-situ by synchrotron laminography observation during simultaneous tensile and bending loading of a cut-edge produced by stamping. Laminography is a technique that allows to observe regions of interest in thin sheet-like objects. It is found for the DP600 laboratory steel grade that the fracture zone is very rough and that needle voids from the surface and in the material bulk follow ferrite-martensite flow lines. During loading the needle voids grow from the fracture zone surface and coalesce with voids in the bulk. The needle cracks coalesce with the burnish zone though narrow zones, called void sheets. The formed cracks are inclined by 45° compared to the load direction

Characterization of virgin olive oils obtained from minor Tunisian varieties for their valorization

Several compositional parameters (fatty acids, tocopherols, polar phenols and volatiles) in virgin olive oils from varieties located at the center of Tunisia, namely Baldi, Chemchali, Neb Jmel, Tounsi and Besbessi from Gafsa and Chemchali and Sehli cultivated in Sidi Bouzid, were studied. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study focusing on the chemical composition of virgin olive oils (VOO) from Sidi Bouzid. Significant differences were found between varieties from Sidi Bouzid and Gafsa in monounsaturated saturated fatty acid levels, some volatile compounds and γ-tocopherol amounts. Notably, Tounsi and Baldi VOOs showed the highest six carbon atoms alcohol contents, whereas Neb Jmel VOO revealed the highest aldehyde six carbon atoms content. Fatty acid composition, as well as tocopherol content, showed differences among different VOO. Principal component analysis and hierarchical component analysis on polar phenols, fatty acids, tocopherols and volatiles data evidenced a good discrimination among oils from the different investigated varieties

Patients with complicated Pott's disease: Management in a rehabilitation department and functional prognosis

AbstractObjectiveThe objective is to study the rehabilitation management and to assess autonomy in daily life activities as well as walking recovery in patients with complicated Pott's disease.Patients and methodsRetrospective study in nine patients over a period of 8 years extending from 2000 to 2008, collated in the Department of Physical Medicine and Functional Rehabilitation, CHU Sahloul, Sousse, Tunisia.ResultsThe mean age of our patients was 43.8 years; sex ratio was 5/4. The spine involvement of tuberculosis was dorsal in seven cases, dorso-lumbar in one patient, and multiple (cervical, dorsal and lumbar) in one case. All patients were paraplegic with a neurological involvement of the bladder. They had prior antituberculosis chemotherapy for at least 8 months. Decompression surgery was performed in six cases. Two female patients presented disorders of spinal posture during treatment requiring surgical revision with osteosynthesis. All patients received additional rehabilitation care. Following a mean duration of hospitalisation in the Rehabilitation department of 47 days with twice-daily sessions of tailored physiotherapy, three patients remained in complete paraplegia, autonomous in wheel-chair and with vesical and sphincter incontinence. The measure of functional independence (MFI) was at admission/discharge 71/92.ConclusionRehabilitation takes an important place in the medico-surgical management in Pott's disease, to limite or compensate the disabilities and handicap related to this pathology

Agrarian Dynamics and Landscape Dynamics in the Tleta Watershed, Western Rif (Morocco).

Le Tangérois est en plein évolution socioéconomique avec le développement des zones franches et l’installation d’une nouvelle population. Les besoins en eau et en produits agricoles augmentent. L’urbanisation et l’industrialisation font que la terre change d’utilisation et de fonction.Ces changements impacteraient le comportement hydrologique du bassin du Tleta (17 700 ha) qui alimente le barrage Ibn Batouta ; source importante d’eau pour le Tangérois. L’hypothèse posée est que ces changements paysagers impactent la production en eau, l’érosion des sols et la productivité des terres. C’est la finalité principale du projet de recherche ALMIRA dans lequel s’insère cette étude. Elle vise à contribuer à la vérification de cette hypothèse en analysant la dynamique agraire et paysagère dans le Tleta. Le diagnostic du bassin Tleta a permis un zonage agroécologique des terres et une description des systèmes d’exploitation agricole (56 exploitations enquêté). Huit quadrats de 1,75 km² en moyenne ont été choisis pour analyser la dynamique des occupations des terres et des parcellaires entre 2000 et 2015 à partir de l’exploitation de cartes des occupations produites à différentes dates et d’images Google de 2003, 2009 et 2015. Pour chaque quadra, le parcellaire a été digitalisé. L’étude a confirmé l’intense évolution des espaces dans le Tleta. Les facteurs de changement importants sont le développement économique, l’implantation de la ville nouvelle de Chrafate, l’apport de capitaux extérieurs, l’exode des jeunes, le développement de l’arboriculture (Plan Maroc Vert) et la valorisation du matorral. L’analyse des quadrats a montré que la part des parcelles avec bâti varie de 0 à 30% ; celles avec haie de 0 à 90%; la taille médiane des parcelles est inférieure à 0,5 ha mais varie de quelques m² à 2 ha ; la part du matorral varie entre 2 et 57%. Le système d’exploitation dominant est la polyculture-polyélevage. La taille moyenne d’une exploitation est de 7,7ha répartie sur 6 parcelles. 50% des exploitations ont une taille de 5 à 10 ha. Elles produisent des céréales (blé, orge, avoine), du sorgho et des légumineuses (fève, lentilles, pois chiche), destinées à l’autoconsommation et à l’élevage. La rotation dominante est culture (céréales)/jachère qui sert de pâture au cheptel. La plantation de l’olivier est récemment développée. Le troupeau moyen est composé de 4 bovins, 3 ovins et 3 caprins. Cette étude a posé les bases d’une analyse prospective du bassin : comment ces évolutions vont-elles se combiner à l’horizon 2040 ? Quels seront les impacts sur l’économie agricole, l’érosion et la fourniture d’eau pour le barrage ? Mots clés : Dynamique agraire, Dynamique paysagère, Bassin versant Tleta, Rif Occidental, MarocThe Tangérois region is into full socio-economic evolution with the development of free zones and the establishment of a new population. The requirements of water and agricultural produce increase. The urbanization and industrialization cause the land to change use and function. These changes would affect the hydrological behavior of Tleta watershed (17 700 ha), which feeds Ibn Batouta dam; a significant source of water for the Tangérois. The assumption sit for is that these landscape changes affect the production of water, soil erosion and the productivity of land. It is the principal purpose of the ALMIRA research project, within which this study is being implemented. It aims at contributing to check this assumption by analyzing agrarian and landscape dynamics in Tleta. The diagnosis of the Tleta watershed allowed the agroecological zoning of land and the description of the agricultural farming systems (56 surveyed farms). Eight quadrats (of 1,75 km² on average) were selected to analyze the dynamics of land use and parcellar between 2000 and 2015 starting from the exploitation of land use maps produced on different dates and Google images of quadrats selected for 2003, 2009 and 2015. For each quadrat, the parcellar was digitalized. The study confirmed the intense evolution of spaces in Tleta. The significant factors of change are the economic development, the establishment of the new city of Chrafate, the contributions of external capital, the exodus of young people, the development of tree crops (Morocco Green Plan) and the valorization of matorral. The analysis of quadrats showed that the share of parcels with built environment varies from 0 to 30%; those with hedge from 0 to 90%; the median size of the parcels is lower than 0.5 ha but varies from some m² to 2 ha; the share of matorral varies between 2 and 57%. The dominating farming system is the mixed-farming-livestock. The average size is 7.7 ha, distributed on six parcels. 50% of the farms have a size from 5 to 10 ha. They produce cereals (wheat, barley, oats), sorghum and leguminous plants (beans, lentils, chickpea), intended for auto consumption and livestock. Dominant crop rotation is cereal/fallow, used as pasture for livestock. The olive-tree plantation is recently developed. The average animal herd is composed of four cattle, three sheep and three goats. This study posed the bases of a prospective analysis of the watershed: How these evolutions will combine by 2040? What would be the impacts on agricultural economics, erosion and the supply of water for the dam? Key words: Agrarian dynamics, Landscape dynamics, Tleta watershed, Western Rif, Morocc

Quantum Gravitational Corrections to the Real Klein-Gordon Field in the Presence of a Minimal Length

The (D+1)-dimensional $(\beta,\beta')$-two-parameter Lorentz-covariant deformed algebra introduced by Quesne and Tkachuk [C. Quesne and V. M. Tkachuk, J. Phys. A: Math. Gen. \textbf {39}, 10909 (2006).], leads to a nonzero minimal uncertainty in position (minimal length). The Klein-Gordon equation in a (3+1)-dimensional space-time described by Quesne-Tkachuk Lorentz-covariant deformed algebra is studied in the case where $\beta'=2\beta$ up to first order over deformation parameter $\beta$. It is shown that the modified Klein-Gordon equation which contains fourth-order derivative of the wave function describes two massive particles with different masses. We have shown that physically acceptable mass states can only exist for $\beta<\frac{1}{8m^{2}c^{2}}$ which leads to an isotropic minimal length in the interval $10^{-17}m<(\bigtriangleup X^{i})_{0}<10^{-15}m$. Finally, we have shown that the above estimation of minimal length is in good agreement with the results obtained in previous investigations.Comment: 10 pages, no figur

Influence of density on the electrical behaviour of a steel metallic wool

Le but de ce papier est de présenter l'influence de la densité sur le comportement électrique d'une laine d'acier. Les courbes conductivité électrique – densité relative sont bien décrites par une loi puissance. L'exposant de cette loi varie entre 2.3 et 3.5 avec la densité initiale. Cette évolution est corrélée avec l'exposant des lois puissances décrivant les courbes contrainte – densité

CSF levels of the BACE1 substrate NRG1 correlate with cognition in Alzheimer’s disease

Background: The presynaptic protein neuregulin1 (NRG1) is cleaved by beta-site APP cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) in a similar way as amyloid precursor protein (APP) NRG1 can activate post-synaptic receptor tyrosine-protein kinase erbB4 (ErbB4) and was linked to schizophrenia. The NRG1/ErbB4 complex is neuroprotective, can trigger synaptogenesis and plasticity, increases the expression of NMDA and GABA receptors, and can induce neuroinflammation. This complex can reduce memory formation. In Alzheimer’s disease (AD) brains, NRG1 accumulates in neuritic plaques. It is difficult to determine if NRG1 has beneficial and/or detrimental effects in AD. BACE1 levels are increased in AD brains and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and may lead to enhanced NRG1 secretion, but no study has assessed CSF NRG1 levels in AD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients. / Methods: This retrospective study included 162 patients suffering from AD dementia (54), MCI with progression to AD dementia (MCI-AD) (27), non-AD MCI (30), non-AD dementias (30), and neurological controls (27). All patients had neurological examinations, brain MRI, and neuropsychological evaluations. After written informed consent and using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), CSF samples were evaluated for Aβ1–42, Aβ1–40, total tau (T-tau), phosphorylated tau on threonine 181 (P-tau), BACE1, growth-associated protein 43 (GAP 43), neurogranin (Ng), and NRG1. / Results: Levels of NRG1 were significantly increased in the CSF of AD (+ 36%) and MCI-AD (+ 28%) patients compared to neurological controls and also non-AD MCI and non-AD dementias. In addition, in AD and MCI-AD patients, NRG1 levels positively correlated with Aβ1–42 but not with T-tau, P-tau, and BACE1 levels and negatively correlated with MMSE scores. A longitudinal follow-up study of AD patients revealed a trend (p = 0.08) between CSF NRG1 levels and cognitive decline. In the overall population, NRG1 correlated with MMSE and the synaptic biomarkers GAP 43 and neurogranin. / Conclusions: Our results showed that CSF NRG1 levels are increased in AD and MCI-AD as compared to controls and other dementias. CSF NRG1 levels are associated with cognitive evolution, and a major outcome of our findings is that synaptic NRG1 could be involved in the pathophysiology of AD. Modulating brain NRG1 activity may represent a new therapeutic target in AD

EFFECTS OF MAGHNITE NANOCLAY MODIFICATION AND COMPATIBILIZATION ON THE PHYSICAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF POLY(VINYL CHLORIDE)/POLY(ETHYLENE-CO-VINYL ACETATE) BLENDS

In this research work poly(vinyl chloride)(PVC), ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), and Maghnite nanoclay (MGT) were used to prepare PVC/EVA nanocomposites. The MGT clay was intercalated with octadecyltrimethylammonium chloride (ODTMA) and grafted with                 γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES). The blend nanocomposites were prepared through the melt mixing of PVC/EVA blend at a weight ratio of 50/50 (wt%/wt%) with 20 wt% of compatibilizer; ethylene vinyl acetate grafted with an alcohol (EVA-g-OH) and 3 wt% of modified MGT clay using a Brabender plastograph. The nanocomposites so prepared were characterized using X-ray diffraction, TGA/DTA, mechanical tests and SEM. The results showed that when PVC was blended with EVA, with the modified MGT and with the compatibilizer, synergistic effects in the thermal stability and mechanical properties were observed